Isla joined Stratagem in 2015 after spending 7 years working as in-house patent counsel at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). At GSK she was responsible for the patent portfolios and patent strategy for a number of biopharmaceutical platforms and assets including domain antibodies and monoclonal antibodies. Isla qualified as a European Patent Attorney and Chartered Patent Attorney in 2000 and has previously worked in private practice. She is experienced in drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications for a range of life science technologies. She also has experience of advising on collaborations and licensing deals, freedom to operate, as well as representing clients in opposition and appeal proceedings at the European Patent Office.

Isla has a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in cell biology from the Institute of Cancer Research in London. Prior to joining the patent profession, Isla worked as a technology transfer officer for the Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research.

Victoria Hufton MPhys (Oxon)

Senior Attorney CPA, EPA (Physical Sciences - Head)

Victoria Hufton is a European Patent Attorney and a Chartered Patent Attorney. Victoria obtained a Masters degree in Physics from Oxford University and joined the patent profession in 2000 receiving her training within a London-based private practice. She has subsequently worked as Intellectual Property manager for Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd with overall responsibility for a portfolio covering all aspects of the R&D output of the European activities before joining Stratagem in April 2008.

Victoria has experience of all aspects of the filing and prosecution of UK, European and International patent applications together with portfolio management experience gained during her time at Nissan.

Victoria has previously worked in a wide variety of technical areas including printing sciences; audio equipment; oil and gas products; computer systems; equipment for the cement industry; high throughput screening and genomics automation; and automotive safety systems.

Catherine Lovell BSc (Hons)

Senior Attorney CPA, EPA

Catherine has an Honours Degree in Biology from Portsmouth University, and qualified as a Chartered Patent Attorney in 2005 and as a European Patent Attorney in 2006. Before training as a patent attorney Catherine gained valuable commercial experience in the field of intellectual property licensing and technology transfer.

She started her career working as a Patent Specialist at Unipath Diagnostics, where she was closely involved with a number of high profile court cases relating to Unipath's 'one-step' diagnostic platform. She then moved to BTG where she gained valuable experience of all aspects of the technology transfer process, working first for the Medical Device and Diagnostics team before training as a patent attorney with responsibility for Life Science technologies in the field of Oncology. More recently Catherine spent 5 years working as a Biotech Patent Attorney at AstraZeneca where she gained extensive experience of intellectual property due diligence and antibody patenting.

After several years of R & D in the surface coatings industry in France and the UK, Nicholas entered the patent profession in 2000. A short period in private practice, working mostly on mechanical inventions and in trade marks practice, was followed by 12 years at a multinational fast-moving consumer goods company supporting their frozen foods, skin care, basic research and ice cream businesses during which time he acquired extensive experience in invention harvesting, drafting applications, examination of applications, opposing and defending patents before the EPO both at first and second instances, managing extensive patent portfolios, and providing advice on technical agreements. He is also fluent in French and intermediate in German and Mandarin Chinese. Nicholas joined Stratagem IPM in 2017.

Colin Barnes BSc (Hons.), PhD

Managing Attorney CPA, EPA

Colin Barnes is a European Patent Attorney. He gained his degree in Chemistry and Food Science from the University of Reading, followed by a PhD in oligonucleotide chemistry from the Institute of Cancer Research in London. Colin then worked as a post doctoral research associate for the University of Cambridge.

Colin was the first employee of DNA sequencing company Solexa where he worked from 1998-2010, initially as a research scientist, then as a chemistry project leader managing a team of research staff, and from 2006 onwards as Intellectual Property Manager. At Solexa, Colin was the inventor of more than 12 granted and 20 pending patents, and helped to build and manage the company patent portfolio. In 2007 Solexa was purchased by US company Illumina, and Colin became IP manager for the DNA sequencing business of Illumina.

Colin passed the European Qualifying Exam in 2009 and joined Stratagem in 2010.

At Solexa/Illumina, Colin managed a broad and varied intellectual property portfolio, and is experienced in the drafting, filing and prosecution of European and International patent applications, as well as advising on infringement and validity issues. At Stratagem he specialises in chemistry and biotechnology for a diverse range of clients.

Michael Blake BSc (Hons) PhD

Managing Attorney CPA, EPA

Michael is a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney. Before joining Stratagem in 2017, he worked for 9 years in private practice in the UK and Australia. Michael’s experience working overseas has given him a broad knowledge of patent matters in multiple jurisdictions. In addition to drafting and prosecuting European, UK, Australian, New Zealand and international patent applications, Michael has particular experience in matters relating to freedom to operate, IP strategy and due diligence and works with a variety of clients, from start-ups and SMEs to large corporations.

Michael obtained an Honours degree and PhD in chemistry from the University of Bristol and carried out postdoctoral research at Princeton University, USA and at the University of Exeter. Michael’s extensive research background enables him to quickly get to grips with a broad range of technical subject matter in the chemical and life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, mining, petrochemicals, inks, steels, food products, polymers and chemical sensors.

Kevin Hanson BENG (Hons) and LLB (Hons)

Managing Attorney/Solicitor CPA, EPA

Kevin is a Chartered Patent Attorney and Solicitor specialising in IP and commercial matters. Such a combination of qualifications is quite unusual and supports Stratagem’s existing work on IP agreements and extends the Company’s capability to handle all manner of commercial agreements. Kevin is also entitled to act for clients before the Courts of England & Wales in relation to any IP related matter.

Examples of Kevin’s recent work include negotiating a suite of manufacturing and distribution agreements, preparing franchise agreements, advising on and effecting recordal of a substantial IP portfolio and assisting clients with IP due diligence. Kevin also has substantial experience of drafting and prosecuting engineering patent applications, freedom to operate analysis and advising on IP strategy. In particular, Kevin acts for clients concerned with smart wearables, renewable energy, surgical instruments, catheters, automotive technology, inhalers, materials engineering and agriculture.

Kevin has a degree in engineering from the Open University and a degree in law from BPP Law School. Prior to joining the patents profession Kevin worked as an engineer in a variety of fields including: catering equipment design, automotive process engineering, acoustic enclosures, heavy industry plant and structural design.

Annabel Hampshire BSc (Hons) MSc

Managing Attorney CPA, EPA

Having initially qualified as a patent attorney in private practice, Annabel has developed valuable skills providing counsel to the generics industry before returning to private sector; holding roles with both international and boutique scale firms. As a result, Annabel possesses a rare breadth of advocacy experience for her 10 years in the profession.

Annabel specialises in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, particularly in innovative medical or surgical solutions and has been responsible for managing portfolios in these technical areas. She has extensive experience in the prosecution of European applications and has represented clients during hearings at the EPO.

Annabel has a passion for the wider role an attorney plays in commercial business strategy and enjoys assisting in the evaluation of IP, whether in relation to due diligence for transactional undertakings, such as fund raising, corporate mergers and acquisitions, or studies that support and shape the development of a company’s own product.

Prior to entering the profession Annabel was a technology transfer co-ordinator at Cranfield University.

Sean Gilday BSc (Hons) MSc

Patent Attorney CPA

Sean joined the Page Hargrave Bristol office team in 2012, and was elected a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys in 2016.

Sean graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2008 with a BSc in Physics. He then spent the next three years working as a Patent Examiner at the UK Intellectual Property Office, dealing primarily with mechanical subject matter. In 2011 he took a career break from the IPO to complete a Masters degree in the Management of Intellectual Property at Queen Mary University of London, receiving the Herchel Smith Scholarship to do so.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys keeping fit. He regularly plays badminton and takes part in half-marathons and 10km events. However, he is just as comfortable playing less strenuous sports such as darts and pool.

Since January 2013 Sean has appeared as a guest blogger on the popular IP Kat website and the SOLO IP blog, writing articles on matters of intellectual property.

Diana D'Arcy MA (Cantab)

Part-Qualified Patent Attorney, Life Sciences

Diana joined StratagemIPM in February 2017, having spent 5 years working in private practice on global patent portfolios. She gained particular experience of UK and European patent prosecution, including supporting Opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office. She also has experience of due diligence and restoration and re-establishment of rights and has provided opinions on patentability, infringement and validity.

Prior to entering the patent profession, Diana worked closely with biotech and pharma clients on technology and commercial strategy projects as a consultant. Therefore, Diana understands the importance of IP as a commercial asset and is able to tailor her service and advice to the needs of each client and their business.

She has experience of a broad range of Life Science technologies, especially: protein engineering, antibodies, biological therapeutics, vaccines, plant biotechnology, diagnostics and medical devices. Diana has a first class Natural Sciences degree from the University of Cambridge focusing on molecular biology, physiology, zoology and neuroscience.

Trainees

Sarah Massara MA (Cantab) MSc PhD

Trainee Patent Attorney

Sarah is a Part-Qualified Patent Attorney and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law and an MSc in Management of Intellectual Property from Queen Mary University of London. Sarah’s technical background is in molecular biology, human biology, plant sciences and pathology, and she enjoys undertaking patent drafting and prosecution in a wide variety of life sciences fields. She has worked in a number of sectors including research, pharmaceuticals, science communication and academic assessment. Sarah has a first degree in Natural Sciences (Genetics) from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in molecular plant virology from the University of Bristol.

Simon Yates DPhil

Trainee Patent Attorney

Simon studied biological sciences at Imperial College London and University of Oxford, specialising in infectious disease, immunogenetics, vaccines and drugs.

He then worked for several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in Business Development.

Simon is now a Trainee Patent Attorney (part qualified).

Uybach Vo BSc (Hons) PhD

Trainee Patent Attorney

Uybach joined Stratagem IPM in 2015 as a Trainee Patent Attorney and IP Manager. He holds a Postgraduate Intellectual Property certificate from Brunel University. Since joining the profession he has gained experience in drafting and prosecution of UK, European and foreign patent applications in the Life sciences and Physical sciences fields. He has also gained experience in freedom to operate and patentability assessments.

Uybach’s has a first degree in Biochemistry with a year in Industry at the University of Birmingham and a PhD in Biophysics from the University of Manchester. His previous experiences include a placement at GlaxosmithKline, working as a technical researcher at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and awarded a CASE studentship at AstraZeneca. Uybach has also gained commercial experience through his participation in Biotechnology YES and Manchester Business Enterprise competitions.